Big crowds as Idaho lawmakers plan to vote on gun on campus bill

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BOISE, Idaho (AP) - People are crowded into the Idaho Statehouse's Lincoln Auditorium, waiting to testify before the House State Affairs Committee about a bill that would allow students, staff and others to carry guns on college campuses.

Presidents of all eight public universities and multiple police chiefs oppose the bill, and more than 200 people protested against it on the Capitol steps Thursday.

Republican Sen. Curt McKenzie of Nampa, who is the bill's sponsor, said Friday morning that he was surprised by the extent of the opposition. He said he addressed all the concerns from universities and colleges that sank a previous version of the bill in 2011.

McKenzie's bill passed the Senate 25-10 earlier this month.

The committee is poised to vote whether to send it forward to the House floor for debate.

Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber and Republican state Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point squared off Friday, July 18, 2014 in Oregon first gubernatorial debate. The debate was sponsored by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.

Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber and Republican state Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point squared off Friday, July 18, 2014 in Oregon first gubernatorial debate. The debate was sponsored by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.